“Trust me, my lord.”

“I can trust thee, good Janet.  Look after her health; keep the windows open for fine air, but let her not go from her chamber.  How thinkest thou she will take such imprisonment?”

“She will be angry, but so proud she will not petition for freedom; she may even brag ’tis to her liking to be so rid of thee.”

“’Sdeath, Janet, thy tongue can cut!  Dost believe she cares a jot for my anger?”

“Nay, not a jot, for ’tis the outcome of love, and ’tis my noble lady Innocence that is well aware that thy anger will fall to spray when she hath a notion to turn the tide.”

“Nay, not again shall she win from me aught but cold looks ’til she hath a mind to espouse me;—­and yet my mind was made up to marry, whether she consented or not; for the time has come when the one who waits will wait still, and the one who rushes on, will take the prize, whether by foul or fair means;—­but nothing can be done to-night.  In the meantime I will steel my heart to harsh deeds, and, by God!  I will bear out my course.  Janet, go now to thy mistress, and should I be despatched for before I see thee again, there will be no one here to defend her as thou canst do.  Thou must not allow the servants to attend upon her; thou must do it all thyself—­a sweet duty! so, ’tis left thee to defend with thy quick wit.”

’Twas near noon the next day that Mistress Penwick arose and would prepare her for a ride to the village, when Janet told her of the imprisonment imposed upon her for safety.  She at once became angry and accused her nurse of being a traitor and tool for Lord Cedric.

“Nay, Lambkin, in truth, there are dark deeds abroad.  Those monastery celibates, who are well equipped to bandy with their equals, are mere braying bumpkins when they have to do with embroidered waistcoats and amorous hearts.  They have surreptitiously corrupted one of Lord Cedric’s lackeys and the fellow is condemned to die.”

“Condemned to die! and who hath done the condemning, pray?”

“His master, to be sure!”

“Ah! if he should put forth the accomplishment of such a deed, ’twould be the act of a barbarian.  What are the charges against him?”

“Just what it is I know not; but my lord deems the charge most grave and—­he may be even now dead.”

“Janet, thou dost so frighten me.  Does the matter concern my lord’s person,—­is his life in danger?”

“Not his life but his love; ’tis for thy sake he does it.”

“For my sake!—­then it shall not be done; I will see to it.  Let me go to Lord Cedric straightway.”

“His orders would not permit it.”

“For shame, Janet; to save a man’s life?  Let me go; I am not afraid of his anger.”

“’Tis impossible; he would send me away if I disobeyed him.”

“Then thou must bring him here, Janet.”